Safety

Level crossings in NSW are assessed using the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM) which is used to help determine the priority for level crossing safety improvements.

Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM)

In 2003 the Australian Transport Council (ATC) agreed to adopt the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM) across Australia. ALCAM is a structured dataset for capturing detailed survey information for a inventory of crossings. It is also a methodology for assessing risk of the inventory of level crossings enabling the inventory to be ranked according to their ALCAM risk scores. This helps to inform decisions about which level crossings require further treatment. ALCAM can also assist in determining the most effective upgrade treatment.

• ALCAM is a complex scoring formula. It considers each level crossing's physical properties (characteristics and controls) and related common human behaviours to provide each level crossing with a Likelihood Factor score ( is this comment correct - yes). This score is then multiplied by a level crossing's "Exposure" score (a factor taking into account the volumes of vehicles/pedestrians and trains) and multiplied by the "Consequence" score to give an ALCAM Risk Score. The ALCAM Risk Score enables the comparison of the relative scores across level crossings within a given jurisdiction. This provides an overall risk rating for each level crossing; however individual level crossing hazards need to be considered in their own right.
• ALCAM Risk Score = Likelihood Factor x Exposure x Consequence
• ALCAM is only one of the means of assessing risk at level crossings and for informing improvement treatments. It should be used in conjunction with stakeholder consultation, including on-site level crossing assessments, standards, and other risk mitigation strategies.
• ALCAM in Detail (pdf 518KB)

Prioritising treatment

As sites are closed, upgraded or site evaluation shows treatment is not required, the ALCAM order changes.

• NSW public road level crossings are ranked according to their ALCAM risk score and this list is used to help inform which level crossings are upgraded under the Level Crossing Improvement Program. Level crossings may be upgraded out of ALCAM order as some sites have simpler development requirements than others.
• ALCAM is under a process of continuous improvement. The data used to develop the ALCAM list (e.g. traffic volumes, queuing etc.) is continually updated and refined so the ALCAM priority list is subject to ongoing adjustments.

Treatment options

There are a range of treatment options available for each level crossing. Their implementation requires integrated, tailored solutions involving both road and rail authorities. Treatment options include:

• Advanced warning signs
• Queuing treatment (cross hatching)
• Traffic signal coordination
• Road realignment
• Upgrade of the control mechanism, such as installation of flashing lights and boom gates
• High intensity lights (LEDs)
• Train speed reduction
• Rail realignment
• Sight line improvements
• Closure of the crossing.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) examined the 87 fatal level crossing crashes between 1988 and 1998. Most fatal level crossings occurred at level crossings with active control (51 per cent), 10 per cent with boom gates and 41 per cent with flashing lights only (without booms).

Funding

There are three sources of funding for level crossings in NSW:

• Road and rail infrastructure managers
• Level Crossing Improvement Program
• Commonwealth Government.

Road and rail infrastructure managers

As part of their safety responsibilities, road and rail agencies fund improvements to level crossings on their networks. Combined funding from Roads and Maritime Services, RailCorp, Country Rail Infrastructure Authority and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for level crossings in NSW was $11.5m in 2007/08 and $12.8m in 2008/09.

Local government agencies are also asked to contribute one-third of the cost for level crossing upgrades on local roads.

Level Crossing Improvement Program

The Level Crossing Improvement Program (LCIP) allocates supplementary funds for level crossing upgrades and support initiatives such as safety awareness campaigns.

In order to accelerate the upgrade program the NSW Government increased its allocation to the LCIP from $12 million to $30 million over the years 2003/04 to 2006/07. In August 2007, the NSW Government approved continuation of increased funding of $5m a year for another 4 years from 2007/08, in additional to the $2m already allocated by Roads and Maritime Services, bringing total funding to $7m a year.

Commonwealth Government funding

In March 2009, as part of its nation building and jobs package, the Commonwealth Government announced additional funding of $42 million to install boom gates at up to 55 passively protected level crossings in NSW by 30 June 2010. Commonwealth funding support may also be obtained for specific projects.

Further information on these funding programs is available from the yearly reports of the Level Crossing Strategy Council below.

Reports

• Adamstown Level Crossing Report and Government Response
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2010/11 (pdf 1MB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2009/10 (pdf 1MB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2008/09 (pdf 460KB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2007/08 (pdf 630KB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2006/07 (pdf 526KB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2005/06 (pdf 2MB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2004/05 (pdf 1MB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2003/04 (pdf 1MB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2002/03 (pdf 4MB)
• Level Crossing Strategy Council - Yearly Report 2001/02 (pdf 5MB)